Fire-escape



0,. HUGHES.

FIRE ESCAPE.

(No Model.)

No; 376,034. Patented Jan; 3, 1888.

fi 'MCW J W'cesses:

M PHER UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

OLIVER HUGHES, OF GALLAO,'1\IISSOURL FIRE-ESCAPE.

CPECIPICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 376.034, dated January 3, 1888.

v Application filed October 11, 1886. Serial No. 52l5,9l5:3. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, OLIVER HUGHES, a citizen of the United States, residing in Gallao,

Macon county, Missouri, have invented a new Fire-Escape Machine, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in the mode of escape from burning buildings; and the object of my invention is to provide means by which not only men, but women and children, may escape from such burning buildings with certainty and immunity from accident. I attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which the figure illustrates the entire machine.

Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout. I

A is a wooden or metallicbar, about which two ropes of twine or wire are securely fasteued.

B B are the wooden or metallic rungs which 7 pass through the ropes G. the ends extending slightly beyond said ropes. perforated at each end at e. A wire coil, E, is passed through this hole at 6. Then it is wrapped about the said ropes, so as to firmly secure the said rungs B to the ropes.

O D D are square blocks, through which the ropes G pass and prevent the machine from depending too near the wall \V. It will be understood that the blocks D are constructed in two sections and secured together upon the ropes 0. Over the rungs B is the open section of awindow, against theinner facings of which the two ends of the main rung A rest. Then in place, the rung A has the machine coiled up about it. Upon occasion the coil can bethrown The rungs are.

from the window. The rung A supports it pendent from the window-iacings. Uninterrupted it makes a perpendicular ladder firmly supported from above and so repelled from the wall by the blocks D as to afiford tirm hold upon the rungs B B for the feet and hands. lf there are parties beneath'the windows. it can be carried to a distance which will insure a comparatively obtuse angle of descent.

In the drawing it is contemplated that the machine shall be of the following dimensions: rod A, Width of window-frame \V; rungs B B, one inch in thickness and at intervals of one foot; cords or ropes (J, one inch in diameter; distance betweencords O 0, two feet. These dimensions can be changed to suit circumstances. The cord 0 may be made of cotton, hemp, flax, or metal.

Having fully described my invention, what I desire to secure by Letters Patent is- The combination, with the bar A, adapted to be secured to the window, and the ropes or cables 0, secured to said bar A at their upper ends, of the rungs 13, having holes in each end thereof, through which the ropes or cables pass, the blocks D, to keep the ropes or cables out from thewallandhavingtransverseholesto slip over the ends of the rungs B and vertical holes aligning with the holes in the ends of the rungs and through which the ropes or cables also pass, as shown, and the wire wrapping E, holding the rungs B in place upon the ropes or cables, substantially as described.

OLIVER HUGHES.

Witnesses: V

J. M. LONDON, N. M. WILLIS. 

